The week ahead: April 23rd through April 29th of 2018:

The week ahead: April 23rd through April 29th of 2018:

Welcome to Taurus season, Lovelies! This is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors and everything it has to offer, or to be surrounded by beauty of any kind. Taurus is a an earth sign, loving all the finer things that life has to offer. Safety and security are best supplied by the material sense for them, so having a full bank account and 401k, roof over the head, clothes (designer and well priced, please), and food in the belly are the real deal for them. Speaking of food, these guys are amazing cooks and foodies, and if a Taurus tells me a good place to go eat, I always listen. Ruled by Venus, their appetites for love, beauty, and food are bottomless–voracious even. These guys are prone to excess, so just be careful this week of overdoing anything that brings you pleasure, especially with beauty products, luxury items, or food (good luck if you’re on a diet). Truly though, these are the goddesses and gods of beauty in the zodiac, reminding us to slow down, admire and appreciate all the lushness and bounty around us, while partaking in it.

We also have a full moon in the sign of Scorpio on Sunday, again bringing up the themes of excess. Scorpio is an intense water sign that’s known for going to extremes. Highly psychic and considered by most to be the sign of the medium as well, these guys do not fuck around. The veil is thin with these ones, and rightly so considering they govern birth, death, and rebirth. Do not be surprised this week into next if your psychic abilities or intuition is off the charts, just make sure you trust it or go with the flow. If you fight what comes up, it will take you to bone, so it’s just best to sit with it and face it. Consider trying to run up a waterfall; you will get crushed, like a dummy. Working smarter, not harder will take you further, as well as teach you something important about yourself and your evolution thus far. The awesome astrologer Annie Heese, from cafeastrology.com says,

“The Sun in Taurus opposes the Moon in Scorpio. The Full Moon is a time of culmination and the promise of fulfillment of that which was started at the New Moon. It is an emotional time–a time of romance, fertilization, and relationships.

The Taurus-Scorpio polarity deals with the balance between all that is mine (Taurus) and all that is yours (Scorpio). It also emphasizes the concept of form (Taurus) versus transformation (Scorpio). While Taurus deals with matter, personal values, material goods, possessions, and security, Scorpio rules the destruction of form, shared possessions, change, and transformation. The Sun in Taurus encourages happiness with the simple, tangible things in life, while the Scorpio Moon draws our attention to complexities, intangibles, and mysteries. Neglecting either end of the axis will surely backfire on us. Ideally, a balance should be found between the two energies, and this is what the Full Moon invites us to do.

This Full Moon is about emotional declarations. Something has been building inside of us, likely of an intimate nature, and now is the time when the energy of the cosmos fairly demands that we let it out. Over the next two weeks, we will discover what this declaration means for us. For now, we can’t sit on our feelings — we need to express them. The Full Moon illuminates this conflict between collecting and sharing. With the Moon full and bright in the sky, symbolic “illumination” occurs in our own lives. However, these new feelings and revelations are emotional ones, as emotions burst forth into our consciousness. It’s time to express ourselves and to let things out of our systems. Of course, we might want to exercise some care while doing so, knowing that what is coming out of us is new and not particularly rational as yet.

Full Moons are about exposing or illuminating issues that are already there, but that have not yet been dealt with. Where does the Full Moon fall by house in your natal chart? Read more here.

This Full Moon occurs around the time of a Mars-Pluto alignment, adding to the themes of transformation, growth, and intensity. Its square to the North Node can feel jarring — it may take us out of our comfort zone with a jolt that feels disruptive and possibly counter-productive at first glance. This lunation’s harmony with Saturn, however, points to an ultimate sense that we’re doing the right things for long-term growth and success.”

So how can we use the energy of this week to help us? My advice is this: Connecting with nature and it’s beauty reminds us to do the same with ourselves–what area(s) of your life can benefit from this idea right now? Where do you keep going to excess, and can you see how this hunger pang is really you trying to fill an emotional void (extra bonus points for facing what this emotional void is and sitting with it to understand it)? What do you need to emotionally declare so you can move forward, at this time? This week, listen to your hunger. It’s pointing you in the direction of your success ❤

Think about drawing down the moon this week. The full moon is a time when relationships of all kinds are highlighted, including the one with yourself. It’s also a time when projects started at the last new moon can be harvested or completed. Take stock right now of any imbalances in your partnerships and wrap up projects that need to move on to the next level. You can also set out a bowl of water at this full moon to soak up all the energy. You can use it later to scry in or use the water to nourish yourself with. If you like to do incantations, prayer or mediation at the full moon, this will add some pep to your step. I like this Pagan/Wiccan incantation I found that says, “Mother Goddess, lend me your light. Give me your power on this faithful night. I invoke you into my being and soul. Fill up my vessel, make me feel whole. I stand before you in awe and in love. I cherish your gifts you send from above. I ask you tonight to show unto me. My mother, my Goddess, So Mote It Be.” Feel free to change this in any way you like or to make it your own, any way you see fit. Make sure to face the full moon and out stretch your arms so you can take everything in. Enjoy this powerful energy!

Go ahead and pick a card from above (pick one, two, or all three cards–choose what you’re drawn to). The stone you see in the picture above is ammolite. Ammolites are a high vibration crystal believed to help activate both the etheric and physical DNA, awakening our awareness to the “perfect” human state, in order to bring about evolutionary shifts in consciousness. Ammolites carry the full spectrum of colors of the first 7 chakras and the shell is in the form of a spiral, chakra energy flows in a spiral and so they can be used to improve the flow of energy or chi and transform negative energy into positive energy. Ammolites can increase stamina, relieve trauma and be used in meditation to connect with past lives. They are stones of luck, prosperity and well being, helping to alleviate depression and exhaustion. Also called gem Ammonite or Korite, the word Ammolite is taken from the name of the Ancient Egyptian God Ammon, who was represented by a ram’s head with twisted horns. This representation looked similar to the shell of the Ammonites which existed in prehistoric times. In the tradition of Feng Shui it is called the Seven Color Prosperity Stone, the beautiful iridescent colors of Ammolite in all the shades of the rainbow, represent the harmonious balance of fire, earth, metal, water, and wood. It is believed that the Ammolite absorbed all the knowledge of the universe, and is therefore able to enhance wisdom, increase wealth and improve the flow of chi. Placed in the home it is said to transform negative energy, bring harmony and increase the vitality of the occupants and their visitors. The Blackfoot Indians refer to it as Buffalo Stone because it brought luck to the wearer during the buffalo hunt. If you’d like to learn more about this stone, please go here.

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If you chose card #1: Your message this week is about Preparation and Resourcefulness. Your card goes on to say that a warrior, Cheetah knows her strength and masters her natural abilities. Armed with foresight, she responds swiftly with new approaches to any problems. Cheetah guides you in focusing on your goal, helping you reach it with ease and grace. Use your initiative, and be prepared to make your move. Keep yourself ahead of the game by closely observing what is going on. With eyes and mind open, dishonest behavior will be revealed. Look within, and study all angles. You instinctively know what steps you need to take to bring forth the best results. Additional Meanings: New approaches • Preparation • Resourcefulness • Reason • Logic • Initiative • Courage.

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If you chose card #2: Your message this week is about Renewal and Enlightenment. Your card goes on to say that Peacock, watchful and dignified, trust in the wonders that the future holds. Her feathers are associated with resurrection: a rising from the ashes. It’s now time to shed the feathers of your past and be rid of your old ways of thinking. Step into the beauty of your individuality with the new plume of self confidence. Graced with the vision to see ahead, peacock will direct you in making all of the changes you desire; changes that will result in new patterns and breakthroughs. This is a time of inner-development and new beginnings. Great things are about to take place. Be mindful of your dream state, as it will bring forth revelations and ideas that will help you shape your new reality. Allow the new to emerge. You are the divine self reawakened. Additional Meanings: Renewal • Enlightenment • Revelation • Spiritual awakening • Healing • New purpose.

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If you chose card #3: Your message this week is about Truth and Clarity. Your card goes on to say that at the portal of shadow and light, the seen and unseen, Crow holds the gifts of ancient wisdom and sacred law. Her sharp perception illuminates the core of truth. She is able to discern what is fair, and she stands on guard to ensure that such fairness is fulfilled. As a bringer of clarity, Crow will assist you toward spiritual self awareness. In standing by your personal integrity, you will awaken your authentic self. Balance is a continuous process on the road of adjustment; weigh decisions carefully so as to bring everything back into balance. You are the orchestrator of your life. Consider the results of all actions taken, as your actions and thoughts shape your future. Additional Meanings: Truth • Clarity • Balanced thought • Self examination • Adjustment • Cause-and-effect • Responsibility.

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My hope for you this week is that you pay attention to where your hunger goes big. When you’re pulled to excess and you can’t seem to stop yourself, is the space you need to look closely at. Don’t be afraid to face it, and know as you continue this work, you’re setting yourself free ❤